Ecobank chief gives keynote at 4th Conference on Managing Risk in Africa

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EXMTEOCeQLI/VO6ymuFO-4I/AAAAAAAAFZI/i3XzaTAFWnM/s1600/1785-allbertessien.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EXMTEOCeQLI/VO6ymuFO-4I/AAAAAAAAFZI/i3XzaTAFWnM/s1600/1785-allbertessien.png" width="400" /></a></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">Ecobank Group CEO </span><a href="http://www.ecobank.com/" style="font-size: x-large;">Albert Essien</a><span style="font-size: large;"> gave the keynote address in Munich today at the 4th Conference on Managing Risk in Africa. Mr Essien offered strategies for managing risk in Africa’s growth markets. Against the backdrop of what he outlined as a generally positive outlook for Africa, he advised investors against viewing Africa as one, but rather 54 countries with different growth prospects, different infrastructure, trade agreements, tax regulations, culture and levels of technological development.</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">Mr Essien urged investors to be prepared to engage with African countries on a long-term basis and avoid abrupt changes in investment focus because of perceived instability in certain markets. He encouraged managing risks associated with doing business in Africa, including fiscal and monetary policy issues such as foreign exchange restrictions, transparency and compliance, political instability and corruption and resource and infrastructure challenges.</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">The Ecobank Group CEO offered executives overseeing market entry strategy in Africa six key considerations that they would have to contend with. These, he said, were: understanding the local business culture; assessing which markets represent the best balance of risk and reward; finding and vetting appropriate local partners; understanding local market regulations; local environmental factors; and levels of technological development.</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">Mr Essien highlighted several market entry risks, which he enumerated as: political risk, reputational risk, operational risk and physical risk to staff and assets. He encouraged scenario planning as a good way to anticipate what future trends might emerge and what their impact and probability might be. “Whatever risks are identified, they are best viewed holistically rather than in isolation. New market entrants will need to develop a clear risk appetite and weigh the opportunity against the cost of risk mitigation, which can be expensive,” Mr Essien said.</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">The Ecobank boss advised setting up a risk review board with participation from senior management, and said this would help ensure the right level and scope of ongoing risk monitoring.</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">Distributed by APO (African Press Organization) on behalf of Ecobank.</span></div> </div>

Ecobank chief gives keynote at 4th Conference on Managing Risk in Africa

Ecobank Group CEO Albert Essien gave the keynote address in Munich today at the 4th Conference on Managing Risk in Africa. Mr Essien of...

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5th Africa Debt and Capital Markets Summit to take place during the IMF and World Bank Spring Meetings

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mX3tbyuqUcs/VO2Tfn8OydI/AAAAAAAAFY4/5hbtBmEaApE/s1600/95eb5262-de92-43d8-9137-69dd18816ee0.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="173" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mX3tbyuqUcs/VO2Tfn8OydI/AAAAAAAAFY4/5hbtBmEaApE/s1600/95eb5262-de92-43d8-9137-69dd18816ee0.png" style="cursor: move;" width="320" /></a></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">"African ministers of finance and some key actors from the capital market authorities will meet in Washington during World Bank meetings to discuss developments and opportunities in Africa's Capital Markets."</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">The 5th Africa Debt and Capital Markets (ADCM) Summit will take place for the first time in Washington D.C. during the IMF and World Bank Spring Meetings on 16th April 2015. Organised by the team behind African Banker magazine, this high-level summit will provide an update on the latest trends and development in Africa's capital markets as well as explore the growing market for international issuances by African governments.</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">Formerly hosted at the London Stock Exchange, the 5th Africa Debt and Capital Markets Summit is the premier event looking at the development of African debt capital markets in Africa. Over 150 guests are expected to attend, including a range of institutional investors, African Ministers of Finance, Central Bank Governors, leading international investment bankers, private companies, investors, risk advisors and rating agencies. </span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">The event was launched to create a platform to connect African issuers to the financial community in London, the agenda this year will broaden to explore the challenges and opportunities in Africa's Capital and Debt markets. Recent global issuances have attracted wide interest from US investors, who hold the world's biggest pool of capital, but African debt and capital markets still remain off-radar for the majority of the investment community.</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">The key focus of the 5th Africa Debt and Capital Markets Summit will be on the emergence of financial hubs in Africa, and on ways to make them become drivers of growth. There will be a focus on domestic resource mobilisation with the rise of sovereign wealth funds and pension funds, the opportunities presented by international capital and how to tap into this, as well as a discussion on the debt issuances and the longer term outlooks for African sovereign and corporates using this asset class.</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">Since its inaugural edition in 2011, the number of sovereign issuances has grown rapidly although local capital markets remain largely illiquid. This summit, by connecting policy makers, as well as the buy and sell side, will help to contribute to more dynamic capital markets and more transactional activity across different asset classes relating to Africa.</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">The summit, a must-attend event for financiers in the emerging market space, will take place in Washington D.C. on the 16th April. </span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">Distributed by African Media Agency (AMA) on behalf of IC Publications.</span></div> </div>

5th Africa Debt and Capital Markets Summit to take place during the IMF and World Bank Spring Meetings

"African ministers of finance and some key actors from the capital market authorities will meet in Washington during World Bank mee...

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African Media Agency (AMA) Signs Historic Redistribution Partnership with Giant News Al Jazeera

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-N6e-_IC4lcg/VO2SY_rqNGI/AAAAAAAAFYw/l7YkUO4MmGI/s1600/a653ab24-3bbf-4b97-a559-4431edbbe92c.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-N6e-_IC4lcg/VO2SY_rqNGI/AAAAAAAAFYw/l7YkUO4MmGI/s1600/a653ab24-3bbf-4b97-a559-4431edbbe92c.png" /></a><span style="font-size: large;">In a bid to deepen its reach and authority, Al Jazeera which is one of the leading global media outlets has partnered with African Media Agency (AMA) to leverage on technology and heightened internet growth in Africa introducing news feed to leading online news websites.</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">The partnership will see news portals from Africa publish Al Jazeera's Pan African news freely. Given that most media houses have a limited budget to deploy reporters to almost all the corners of the continent, most of the audiences for these news outlets have been at a disadvantage missing out on some important news. Al Jazeera has reporters deployed in all corners of the African continent who generate both text and video content that is Africa-related. The initiative aims at permitting selected quality news portals to use this content online.</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">African media Agency (AMA) becomes the exclusive re-distributor and coordinates the project on behalf of Al Jazeera. AMA's unrivalled knowledge of the Pan African media landscape will enable them to help Al Jazeera vet the news portals suitable for partnership.</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">"We are delighted and honored to have been chosen by a media house as influential as Al Jazeera. Years of working closely with the African media has established us as the most trust-worthy partner for this venture. This also aligns with our mandate of meeting the media needs by providing quality content to attract the right audience to their online portals.", commented Eloïne Barry, AMA CEO.</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">The Internet has become the preferred media for most people in Africa due to easy access through their smartphones. According to internet statistics from www.internetworldstats.com, Africa has registered over the past 14 years the highest penetration growth rate with over 6000 percent. In addition, we count over 220 million smartphones used on the continent. </span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">Interested news websites should contact the AMA Team.</span></div> </div>

African Media Agency (AMA) Signs Historic Redistribution Partnership with Giant News Al Jazeera

In a bid to deepen its reach and authority, Al Jazeera which is one of the leading global media outlets has partnered with African Media A...

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2015 will start to show some of the political limits to sub-Saharan Africa’s growth story - Control Risks

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div> <br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tv9QGHRJs9Q/VO2Qwu2SqvI/AAAAAAAAFYk/MLoJ1syA4YM/s1600/NAIROBI.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tv9QGHRJs9Q/VO2Qwu2SqvI/AAAAAAAAFYk/MLoJ1syA4YM/s1600/NAIROBI.png" width="281" /></a></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">Control </span><a href="https://www.controlrisks.com/" style="font-size: x-large;">Risks</a><span style="font-size: large;">, the global business risk consultancy, today launched its annual RiskMap report at an event for East Africa’s business leaders in Nairobi. RiskMap is an established, authoritative guide and a key reference point for policy makers and business leaders seeking to plot global trends over the coming year. RiskMap highlights the most significant underlying trends in global risk and security, and provides a detailed view from the markets that will matter most in 2015.</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">• 2015 will start to show some of the political limits to sub-Saharan Africa’s growth story. Economic growth has outpaced political reform and governments have so far failed to tackle key structural issues.</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">• Terrorism will continue to make headlines in Africa in 2015, but it will remain local.</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">• East Africa piracy levels will remain low, reflecting the decline in Somali hijack-for-ransom piracy since mid-2011.</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">• Large inward investment in East African energy and the prospect of a resource boom is putting pressure on political arrangements.</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">• The likelihood of resource-based conflict in East Africa is low.</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">Introducing RiskMap 2015, Daniel Heal, Managing Director East Africa, Control Risks, commented:</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">“2015 is when we will start to see some of the political limits in Africa’s growth story. Governments have so far failed to tackle key structural issues and growth usually occurs despite government rather than because of it. Kenya, as one of the best-governed countries in the region, is running big deficits and debt loads will double by 2017.</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">“Large inward investment in East African energy is exciting, but we should remain circumspect. It is too early to say how key issues will play out, from distribution of benefits to legislative and regulatory changes in the pipeline. The likelihood of resource-based conflict is low. These industries are too early in their development to provoke conflict: there is not yet any oil to divert, and gas is harder to criminalise. If anything, the risk is that the energy industry is entering remote regions with legacy conflicts relating to control of land, access to water, and grazing rights, as in Kenya.</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">“It is anticipated that Somalia’s Al-Shabab will lose further territory in 2015, retreating into guerrilla-style hit-and-run attacks in Somalia and potentially against major regional cities such as Nairobi, Mombasa, Kampala and Addis Ababa.</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">Distributed by APO (African Press Organization) on behalf of Control Risks.</span></div> </div>

2015 will start to show some of the political limits to sub-Saharan Africa’s growth story - Control Risks

Control Risks , the global business risk consultancy, today launched its annual RiskMap report at an event for East Africa’s business...

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World Bank Approves New Financing for More Affordable Housing in Tanzania as its Cities Expand

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QBWifvns1-w/VO2Mz0t4flI/AAAAAAAAFYQ/bL0LRVWrkSE/s1600/image001%2B(1).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="78" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QBWifvns1-w/VO2Mz0t4flI/AAAAAAAAFYQ/bL0LRVWrkSE/s1600/image001%2B(1).jpg" width="400" /></a></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">The World Bank Group’s Board of Executive Directors today approved $60 million in new financing from the highly-concessional International Development Association (IDA)* to help Tanzania develop a viable mortgage finance market for affordable housing. The new financing will build on the achievements of the ongoing 2010 Housing Finance Project (HFP) and brings the total IDA investment in the project to $100 million.</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">The HFP has overseen the establishment of the Tanzania Mortgage Refinancing Company (TMRC) which is playing a key role in developing the mortgage market. The Company provides long term financing to mortgage lenders which has encouraged an increasing number of banks to offer mortgages. Improved access to financing has also contributed to the growing supply of affordable housing coming onto the market. </span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">The project, which is being implemented by the Bank of Tanzania, is also delivering a comprehensive capacity building program on the mortgage market targeting service providers, financial intermediaries, market professionals, policy makers, regulators, government authorities, the judiciary and the general public. </span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">“Tanzania's rapid urbanization in recent years has underscored the urgency to improve access to finance for affordable housing,” says Philippe Dongier, World Bank Country Director for Tanzania, Burundi and Uganda. “Developing mortgage markets will make it possible for ordinary families (including those that have low incomes) to invest in their own housing as opposed to renting or building slowly over many years as and when they set aside some savings. The mortgage market will go a long way in addressing the constraints to accessing housing credit which many working urban residents face, and it will further expand the construction industry and associated jobs.”</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">The TMRC provides a critical link between investors and housing markets, ensuring the needed capital is invested in growing Tanzania’s housing resources. The company is now fully capitalized and profitable with paid-in share capital amounting to $8.8 million from its shareholders, currently consisting of 12 commercial banks.</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">“TMRC has been operating for three years and already has made a large impact. The number of banks now offering mortgage loans has grown from only eight banks in 2010 to 19 in 2014 and mortgage repayment periods increased from the maximum of seven years that was previously offered to 20 years that banks offer now,” says Yoko Doi, World Bank Senior Financial Sector Specialist, who is the Task Team Leader for the HFP. “The additional IDA funds will put TMRC on a stronger path to sustainability by raising its own funding through other means, such as local bond issuance.”</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">Another initiative set up under the project is the Housing Microfinance Fund (HMFF). Launching during 2015, the HMFF will provide long-term loans for lower income earners who currently lack access to housing finance either for the purchase of a home or for home improvements. The additional IDA financing will allow the HMFF to be in a position to start building microfinance institutions’ capacities to develop and administer housing microfinance products.</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">The HFP is aligned with Tanzania’s five-year National Strategy for Growth and Poverty Reduction (MKUKUTA) and the Tanzania Development Vision 2025, which highlight the importance of affordable housing, access to finance, and capital market development.</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">* The World Bank’s International Development Association (IDA), established in 1960, helps the world’s poorest countries by providing grants and low to zero-interest loans for projects and programs that boost economic growth, reduce poverty, and improve poor people’s lives. IDA is one of the largest sources of assistance for the world’s 77 poorest countries, 39 of which are in Africa. Resources from IDA bring positive change for 2.8 billion people living on less than $2 a day. Since 1960, IDA has supported development work in 112 countries. Annual commitments have averaged about $18 billion over the last three years, with about 50 percent going to Africa.</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> </div>

World Bank Approves New Financing for More Affordable Housing in Tanzania as its Cities Expand

The World Bank Group’s Board of Executive Directors today approved $60 million in new financing from the highly-concessional Internation...

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Watu wachache tu wanaounga mkono adhabu kali kwa viongozi wala rushwa

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9rU2-0AL_Ic/VOxHeN_btqI/AAAAAAAAFYA/pL-NnOCMj0U/s1600/images.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="185" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9rU2-0AL_Ic/VOxHeN_btqI/AAAAAAAAFYA/pL-NnOCMj0U/s1600/images.jpg" width="400" /></a></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">Wananchi saba kati ya kumi (69%) wanasema rushwa zilizoripotiwa kwenye ripoti ya mwaka ya Mdhibiti na Mkaguzi Mkuu wa Hesabu za Serikali (CAG) ni upotevu wa fedha zao (za umma). Zaidi ya nusu ya wananchi (55%) wanaamini kuwa aina hii ya rushwa inagusa sana maisha ya yao ya kila siku, na watatu kati ya kumi (31%) wangependa kutaarifiwa kuhusu matokeo ya ukaguzi kupitia vipindi vya redio vinavyorushwa kila wiki kwa muda wa nusu saa.</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">Wananchi pia wanaamini kuwa Rais anapaswa kuchukua hatua juu ya matokeo ya ripoti ya CAG: Takriban wananchi sita kati ya kumi (57%) wanaamini kuwa Rais anawajibu wa kufuatilia masuala ya ukaguzi wa hesabu za serikali. Taasisi nyingine zinazotajwa kuwa na wajibu wa kufanya hivyo ni pamoja na Baraza la Mawaziri (16%) na mahakama (11%). Mbali na Rais, hakuna taasisi au mtu binafsi aliyetajwa na wananchi kwa zaidi ya 20% kuwa anawajibu wa kushughulikia masuala ya ukaguzi wa hesabu za serikali.</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">Matokeo haya yametolewa na Twaweza kwenye muhtasari mfupi wenye jina la <a href="http://twaweza.org/go/sauti-accountability-kis">Walezi wa Uwajibikaji: Ufahamu na maoni ya wananchi kuhusu taasisi za usimamizi</a>. Muhtasari huu umetokana na takwimu kutoka utafiti wa Sauti za Wananchi, utafiti wa kwanza barani Afrika wenye uwakilishi wa kitaifa unaofanyika mara kwa mara kwa njia ya simu za mkononi. Matokeo yametokana na takwimu zilizokusanywa kutoka kwa wahojiwa 1,474 katika maeneo mbalimbali Tanzania Bara (Zanzibar haimo kwenye matokeo haya) kati ya miezi ya Septemba na Oktoba 2014.</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">Licha ya kuwepo kwa taarifa za wazi juu ya makosa ya rushwa na haja ya Rais kuchukua hatua, wananchi wana hisia kinzani linapokuja suala la adhabu kwa viongozi wenye matumizi mabaya ya fedha za umma. Mwananchi mmoja tu kati ya ishirini (6%) anafikiri kuwa wale wanaopatikana na hatia ya rushwa wanapaswa kuondolewa katika ofisi za umma, na ni mmoja tu kati ya wananchi sita (15%) anayefikiri kuwa wala rushwa wanapaswa kufungwa. Adhabu sahihi kwa wala rushwa iliyotajwa na wananchi wengi (32%) ni kufukuzwa kazi, kunyang’anywa pensheni, kunyang’anywa mafao na kulipa pesa walizofuja (30%).</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">Wananchi waliulizwa pia kuhusu ufahamu wao kuhusu taasisi kuu tatu za usimamizi wa fedha. Hizi hushiriki katika mchakato wa kuandaa na baadaye kufuatilia ripoti ya mwaka ya ukaguzi wa fedha nchini Tanzania; Ofisi ya Taifa ya Ukaguzi wa Hesabu (NAOT), Kamati ya Hesabu za Serikali za Mitaa (LAAC) na Kamati ya Bunge ya Hesabu za Serikali (PAC).</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">Ofisi ya Taifa ya Ukaguzi wa Hesabu ilionekana kujulikana zaidi kuliko taasisi nyingine kati ya hizi tatu. Mwananchi mmoja kati ya watatu (34%) ameshawahi kumsikia Mdhibiti na Mkaguzi Mkuu wa Hesabu za Serikali (CAG) na mmoja kati ya sita (16%) anaweza kuelezea kwa usahihi kazi zake. Kwa kamati za bunge zenye wajibu wa usimamizi wa hesabu za serikali kuu na hesabu za serikali za mitaa, takwimu ziko chini zaidi. Wananchi watatu kati ya kumi (29%) wamewahi kusikia kuhusu PAC na zaidi ya mmoja kati ya kumi (13%) anaweza kueleza kazi zake kwa usahihi, wakati mwananchi mmoja tu kati ya wanne (26%) ameshawahi kuisikia kuhusu LAAC na mmoja kati ya kumi (11%) anaweza kueleza kazi za kamati hii.</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">Kwa taasisi zote tatu, wananchi wana wasiwasi juu ya uwezo wa taasisi hizi kufanya kazi bila kuingiliwa, na pia hawana uhakika na mafanikio ya taasisi hizi. Chini ya mwananchi mmoja kati ya wanne anaamini taasisi hizi za usimamizi zina uhuru wa kufanya kazi zao: kuhusu CAG (25% wanaamini ana uhuru kamili), LAAC (21%) na PAC (23%) wanaamini hivyo. Hakuna mwananchi aliyeweza kutaja mafanikio yoyote halisi ya taasisi hizi tatu. Kwa mfano, chini ya 5% ya wananchi walidhani kuwa moja ya taasisi hizi imewahi kugundua kashfa za rushwa au kuwaweka hadharani viongozi wa umma wala rushwa ndani ya kipindi cha miaka mitatu iliyopita.</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">Wananchi wengi pia wana uhakika kuwa kuna aina nyingi za rushwa ndani ya serikali, lakini wana wasiwasi kama rushwa hizi zitatajwa kwenye ripoti ya Mdhibiti na Mkaguzi Mkuu wa Hesabu za Serikali. Wananchi tisa kati ya kumi (88%) wanafikiri kuwa rushwa hutolewa ili kupata cheo serikalini au kushinda zabuni, wakati zaidi ya wananchi watatu kati ya kumi (34%) wanafikiri kuwa kesi hizi za rushwa zitaandikwa kwenye ripoti ya CAG.</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">Elvis Mushi, Mtafiti Mkuu wa Sauti za Wananchi alitoa maoni juu ya matokeo haya na kusema "Ni dhahri wananchi wanaathirika na rushwa na wana imani ndogo na taasisi muhimu za usimamizi wa fedha kuweza kushughulikia madai yao. Hili linaeleweka ukizingatia kuwa rushwa kubwa serikalini imeibuliwa mara kwa mara lakini inaonekana haishughulikiwi ipasavyo kuzuia vitendo hivi visitokee tena. Sehemu ya tatizo ni kwamba taasisi zetu za uwajibikaji hazina meno halisi ambayo yangeweza kutumika kutoa adhabu kali kwa wanaopatikana kujihusisha na vitendo vya rushwa."</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">"Wakati huo huo," aliendelea kusema "wananchi hawatetei kuwepo kwa adhabu kali dhidi ya wale wanaotumia vibaya fedha za umma. Tunakosa muunganiko kati ya matamanio yetu ya kupunguza rushwa na kuongeza uwajibikaji, na kutokuwa tayari kutumia adhabu kali kufikia malengo hayo. Kinachotakiwa ni uongozi imara katika ngazi zote kuhakikisha kuwa mifumo ya uwajibikaji inafanya kazi kwa ufanisi, na kuelimisha umma kwa ujumla na wale walio madarakani juu ya taratibu na njia za kushinikiza uwajibikaji.”</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> </div>

Watu wachache tu wanaounga mkono adhabu kali kwa viongozi wala rushwa

Wananchi saba kati ya kumi (69%) wanasema rushwa zilizoripotiwa kwenye ripoti ya mwaka ya Mdhibiti na Mkaguzi Mkuu wa Hesabu za Serikali...

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Balozi Seif aomba kizazi kipya kielezwe jinsi ya kuwaenzi waasisi wa taifa

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-AizZGGpOeHo/VOxFOfo-f1I/AAAAAAAAFX0/Io2lYagRyRI/s1600/329.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-AizZGGpOeHo/VOxFOfo-f1I/AAAAAAAAFX0/Io2lYagRyRI/s1600/329.jpg" width="400" /></a></div> <div style="text-align: justify;">  <span style="font-size: large; text-align: justify;">Makamu wa Pili wa Rais wa Zanzibar Balozi Seif Ali alisema kwamba kizazi kipya kinapaswa kuelewa azma ya waasisi wa Taifa la Tanzania Marehemu Mzee Abeid Aman Karume na Baba wa Taifa Mwalimu Julius Kambarage Nyerere wakati walipokuwa mstari wa mbele kudai Uhuru na haki za jamii ya Watu wote.</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">Alisema watoto waliowengi wa kizazi kipya bado wanaendelea kuwa njia panda wakikosa kumbu kumbu kadhaa za Viongozi waasisi ambazo zingewapa fursa na nafasi pana ya kuelewa malengo sahihi ya waasisi hao.</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">Balozi Seif Ali Iddi alisema hayo wakati akizungumza na Wajumbe wa Bodi ya Udhamini wa Mfuko wa kuwaenzi Waasisi wa Taifa la Tanzania ulioongozwa na Mwenyeki wake Kanal Mstaafu Kabenga Nsa Kaisi aliokutana nao Ofisini kwake Vuga Mjini Zanzibar.</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">Alisema yapo mataifa mengi duniani kama Vietnam, Jamuhuri ya Watu wa China na Korea ya Kaskazini yenye Historia kubwa ya kuenzi kazi na kumbu kumbu za waasisi wao kitendo ambacho Bodi hiyo itastahiki kuiga mfano huo.</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">Balozi Seif alifahamisha kwamba wapo baadhi ya watu wanaoendelea kuzidhihaki kazi zilizofanywa na waasisi wa Tanzania kiasi kwamba iwapo hakutakuwa na juhudi za makusudi kizazi kipya kinaweza kupotea na kukosa Historia yao.</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">Alitolea mfano wa Mapinduzi Daima yanayodhihakiwa na baadhi ya watu hao wakikosa kuelewa dhamiri halisi inayokusudiwa ya kuyaenzi yale yote yaliyotangazwa mara baada ya Mapinduzi ya Mwaka 1964 ambayo yatamstawisha Mwananchi wa Taifa hili katika maisha yake yote.</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">Makamu wa Pili wa Rais wa Zanzibar aliwahakikisha Wajumbe wa Bodi ya Udhamini wa Mfuko wa Kuwaenzi Waasisi wa Tanzania kwamba Serikali ya Mapinduzi ya Zanzibar itatoa kila aina msaada utakaohitajika na Wajumbe hao ili kuona malengo waliyojipangia yanafanikiwa vyema.</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">Aliwashauri wajumbe wa Bodi hiyo kuwasiliana na wazee wanaoielewa vyema Historia ya Uhuru wa Tanganyika na Mapinduzi ya Zanzibar ili iendelee kuenziwa na kizazi kipya.</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">Alieleza kwamba Kizazi kipya ni vizuri kikajengewa mazingira bora ya kujifunza moyo wa kujitolea kupitia waasisi wa Taifa la Tanzania ambalo linaendelea kuwa chuo kwa baadhi ya Nchi washirika kupata Taaluma ya Historia yake.</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">Makamu wa Pili wa Rais wa Zanzibar alielezea faraja yake kutokana na Serikali ya Jamuhuri ya Muungano wa Tanzania kuona umuhimu wa kupitisha Sheria ndani ya Bunge 2004 ya kuunda bodi ya Udhamini wa Mfuko wa kuwaenzi waasisi wa Taifa la Tanzania.</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">Mapema Mwenyekiti wa Bodi hiyo Kanal Mstaafu Kabenga Nsa Kaisi alisema jukumu kubwa la Bodi hiyo ni kukusanya kumbu kumbu za waasisi Taifa la Tanzania na kuzihifadhi kwa faida ya vizazi vipya.</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">Kanal Mstaafu Kabenga alisema bodi tayari imeshaandaa mikakati ya jinsi ya kupata uwezo wa kifedha zitakazokidhi uanzishwaji wa vituo viwili vya Kumbu kumbu vitakavyowekwa Tanzania bara na Zanzibar.</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">Alifahamisha kwamba Wajumbe wa Bodi hiyo watasimamia kuonba kwamba mchango wa Viongozi waasisi haufanyiwi dhihaka na kazi kubwa ya wajumbe hao ni kusimamia taaluma ili Jamii ifahamu azma hya waasisi hao katika kupigania Uhuru na haki za Mwafrika.</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">“ Kazi yetu inayofanana na wenzetu inatupa faraja kuona Mtaifa ya Dunia hii yanaendelea kuwaenzi waasisi wa Nchi zao.</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">Othman Khamis Ame</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">Ofisi ya Makamu wa Pili wa Rais wa Zanzibar</span></div> </div>

Balozi Seif aomba kizazi kipya kielezwe jinsi ya kuwaenzi waasisi wa taifa

  Makamu wa Pili wa Rais wa Zanzibar Balozi Seif Ali alisema kwamba kizazi kipya kinapaswa kuelewa azma ya waasisi wa Taifa la Tanzani...

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Wawakilishi wamuombea dua Marehemu Salmin Awadh

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-arm-bNtBmxA/VOxBn3DIiPI/AAAAAAAAFXU/u-JMPp-iGJ4/s1600/302.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-arm-bNtBmxA/VOxBn3DIiPI/AAAAAAAAFXU/u-JMPp-iGJ4/s1600/302.jpg" width="400" /></a></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">Viongozi wa ngazi mbali mbali wa Chama cha Mapinduzi leo wamehudhuria hitma ya kumuombea Dua Mwakilishi wa Jimbo la Magomeni Marehemu Salmin Awadh Salmin.</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">Hitma hiyo iliyoandaliwa na Kamati ya Wajumbe wa Baraza la Wawakilishi wa Chama cha Mapinduzi wakiongozwa na Makamu wa Pili wa Rais wa Zanzibar Balozi Seif Ali Iddi imefanyika katika ukumbi wa Afisi Kuu ya CCM Kisiwwandui Mjini Zanzibar.</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">Akitoa kumbusho la wajibu wa kifo kwa kila nafsi kwenye Hitma hiyo Naibu Katibu wa Mufti Kuu wa Zanzibar Sheikh Nauman Jongo alisema kifo ni mtihani mzito ambao kiumbe amewekewa pazia la kutojua kitamfika lini.</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">Sheikh Jongo alisema kwamba mtihani huo ni somo linalotoa ukumbusho kwa kila mja kuelewa kuwa iko siku ataacha watoto, mali na kila alichokuwa akikipenda ndani ya nafsi yake.</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">“ Kifo ni mtihani mzito ambao kiumbe kamwe haelewi lini kitamfika kwamba anaweza akajiandaa “. Alisema Sheikh Nauman Jongo.</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">Alifahamisha kwamba waumini kwa mujibu wa muongozo wa Dini wanatakiwa kuwa na huzuni wakati mmoja kati yao yanapomfika mauti wakijikumbusha kuwa Marehemu mwnezao amekwenda safari ndefu ya milele.</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">Akitoa shukrani kwa washiriki wa Hitma hiyo Mjumbe wa Kamati ya Wawakilishi wa CCM Mh. Hamza Hassan Juma aliwaomba wana CCM wote kuendelea kutoa ushirikiano wakati wanapopatwa na mitihani hasa vifo.</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">Mh. Hamza alisema utaratibu huo ambao umezoeleka kwa wanachama wengi katika sehemu tofauti Nchini unaleta faraja na upendo miongoni mwa wanachama wenyewe.</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">Wakati huo huo Wajumbe wa Kamati ya wawakilishi wa CCM walitoa mkono wa pole kwa fanilia ya Marehemu Salmin Awadhi Salin wakitekeleza utaratibu waliojipangia wakati inapotokea msiba baina ya wana Kamati hao.</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">Akiiongoza Kamati hiyo Makamu wa Pili wa Rais wa Zanzibar Balozi Seif Ali Iddi alikabidhi ubani kwa familia hiyo hapo Nymbani kwa Marehemu Mtaa wa Mzalendo Magomeni Mjini Zanzibar.</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">Ubani huu tunaootoa ni utamaduni tuliojiwekea katika Kamati yetu ya Wajumbe wa Baraza la Wawakilishi wa Chama cha Mapinduzi “ Alisema Balozi Seif.</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">Balozi Seif aliendelea kuwaomba ndugu na jamaa wa marehemu Salin wawe na moyo wa subira hasa kip[indi hichi kifupi cha kuondokewa na mpendwa wao waliomzoea.</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">Othman Khamis Ame</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">Ofisi ya Makamu wa Pili wa Rais wa Zanzibar</span></div> </div>

Wawakilishi wamuombea dua Marehemu Salmin Awadh

Viongozi wa ngazi mbali mbali wa Chama cha Mapinduzi leo wamehudhuria hitma ya kumuombea Dua Mwakilishi wa Jimbo la Magomeni Marehemu ...

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VMK plans to expand its store locations to five countries in the region by the end of the year

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2fvlBi56Nsw/VOrljRUrlvI/AAAAAAAAFXE/wvLP1sA-IXQ/s1600/mtandao.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="297" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2fvlBi56Nsw/VOrljRUrlvI/AAAAAAAAFXE/wvLP1sA-IXQ/s1600/mtandao.png" width="400" /></a></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <a href="http://www.vmktech.com/" style="font-size: x-large;">VMK</a><span style="font-size: large;"> , a company founded by Vérone Mankou, the Congolese entrepreneur behind the first tablet made in Africa, announced the opening of its first VMK store in Abidjan on 19 February 2015. Located in the Treichville commune at Zone 3 C, Immeuble Rive Gauche, this point of sale – which will exclusively sell products from the VMK range – marks the beginning of the Congolese company's expansion beyond its borders. The Abidjan VMK store, which will ultimately employ around 10 people, will be an addition to VMK's first-ever store in Brazzaville, which was opened in partnership with the South African operator, MTN.</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">VMK plans to expand its store locations to five countries in the region by the end of the year. A second store is scheduled to open in the Ivory Coast economic capital, before the opening of three other VMK stores in Kinshasa, Douala and Dakar before the end of 2015. "My underlying ambition is to bridge the digital gap in Africa. These VMK stores are being set up to make new technologies accessible to as many people as possible," explains Vérone Mankou. "We will offer a top-of-the-range selection of products, aimed at the general public."</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">The VMK range, which also includes two smartphone models available from FCFA 11,900 and FCFA 19,900 (EUR 18 and EUR 30 respectively) has recently been enhanced by the addition of a premium model, the Elikia L. This outstanding handset, offered at FCFA 64,900 (EUR 99), comes equipped with a larger screen than its predecessor. Not only that, but VMK is getting ready to launch its second tablet in March. It will be available for less than FCFA 140,000 (EUR 210). "The opening of a store in Abidjan is an essential step in the extension of our Pan-African vision. It is here, at the crossroads of West Africa, that VMK has decided to embark upon conquering the new class of African consumers," adds Vérone Mankou.</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">Produced in China until now, VMK devices will shortly be assembled in the soon-to-be factory in the Republic of Congo. This production unit, which is in the process of being built in the Mpila neighbourhood of Brazzaville, has required an investment of nearly two million dollars and will be used exclusively for the VMK range of products. VMK's Chinese partner company has started training the locals who will be employed at the factory – more than 90 people in total. VMK plans to produce 350,000 units per month.</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">Distributed by APO (African Press Organization) on behalf of VMK.</span></div> </div>

VMK plans to expand its store locations to five countries in the region by the end of the year

VMK , a company founded by Vérone Mankou, the Congolese entrepreneur behind the first tablet made in Africa, announced the opening of i...

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100 key decision-makers expected in Kenya from 25-27th March for the Powering East Africa meeting

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KfsuQsGjgII/VOrkkf-wdtI/AAAAAAAAFW8/E8dom2SRAJU/s1600/nairobi.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="251" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KfsuQsGjgII/VOrkkf-wdtI/AAAAAAAAFW8/E8dom2SRAJU/s1600/nairobi.png" width="400" /></a></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">As we witness utilities across the continent struggling to acquire and evacuate electricity sufficient enough to reach a base-load, transmission is fast-proving the biggest barrier to energy access across Africa.</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">Presently, there are never-before-seen levels of investment into the power sector- no longer is it simply the poor cousin of exploration. Investors today view power as an opportunity quoted by some as so vast it will make the returns of the African telecoms giants insignificant by comparison.</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">However, despite over US$8bln of project investments in greenfield projects in South Africa alone, transmission continues to collapse, significantly impacting the social and political landscape of the continent. In addition, this threatens the bankability of future generation projects already under development.</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">After over 20 years in development, the EAPP, SAPP, African Development Bank, China Development Bank and World Bank together with their public sector partners in Ethiopia, Kenya, Zambia, Tanzania, Mozambique, Zimbabwe and South Africa are starting to make headway which could finally see an end to the transmission crisis.</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">These projects could be the start of incredible opportunities for East and Southern Africa, promoting everything from township electrification to major industrial development. This outcome is only possible if these countries can maximise the capacity of the presently elusive manufacturers and industrialists looking to take advantage of the export zones currently under development.</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">You only have to see what the UAE has achieved to see how a resource-based economy can transform a country’s riches if the right investments in infrastructure are made. On the flip side, there are examples where these critical investments were not made - resulting in economic and social turmoil.</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">The question therefore is this – which president will rise to the challenge and build a legacy on the continent that reads, “I truly brought electricity to Africa, I truly made a difference?”</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.powering-eastafrica.com/">EnergyNet</a>, as it has been doing for the last 17 years, will facilitate this debate by welcoming 100 key decision-makers to Kenya from 25-27th March for the Powering East Africa meeting. Major DFIs, power developers and transmission companies will come together to influence the conversation, enabling participants to understand what’s happening to East Africa’s transmission network in the medium to long term. </span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">Distributed by APO (African Press Organization) on behalf of EnergyNet Ltd.</span></div> </div>

100 key decision-makers expected in Kenya from 25-27th March for the Powering East Africa meeting

As we witness utilities across the continent struggling to acquire and evacuate electricity sufficient enough to reach a base-load, tran...

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Samsung Electronics is introducing a range of products to the African market at the sixth annual Africa Forum in Antalya, Turkey

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-B7kzxyDUAKQ/VOrjypgSEnI/AAAAAAAAFW0/L8XnKLwN6q0/s1600/sum.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="136" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-B7kzxyDUAKQ/VOrjypgSEnI/AAAAAAAAFW0/L8XnKLwN6q0/s1600/sum.png" width="400" /></a></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">Samsung </span><a href="http://www.samsung.com/africa_en" style="font-size: x-large;">Electronics</a><span style="font-size: large;"> is introducing a range of products to the African market at the sixth annual Africa Forum in Antalya, Turkey, as the company continues to contribute to the continent’s ongoing transformation in the consumer electronics space.</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">• Samsung Electronics showcases its commitment to the African market by introducing a range of products in the consumer electronics space</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">• The launch of Tizen-powered SUHD TVs, a new audio line-up and innovative curved monitors brings innovation to Africa like never before</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">• A new range of Samsung digital appliances brings a new level of convenience to the kitchen and across the home</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">• The launch of the NX500 camera and the Galaxy A shows Samsung’s commitment to enhancing the consumers’ digital life </span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">Showcasing its commitment to the African market, Samsung will be presenting its latest flagship products to delegates over the course of the three-day forum.</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">The theme for Africa Forum 2015 is “One Beat – Beyond the Limit” and builds on Samsung’s intent to create change in Africa by bringing consumers’ desires to life through innovative products.</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">S.Y.Hong, president and CEO of Samsung Electronics Africa, highlights premium, innovation, convenience, insights and citizenship as the key words related to product innovation in Africa.</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">“Last year we introduced our intent into Africa: One Beat. It embodies the spirit of overcoming challenges and moving towards a vision of togetherness across the continent,” said Hong. “Part of this is remaining focused on providing our African consumers with innovative products that are driven by consumer needs and passions.”</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">SUHD TV Takes Picture Quality to New Heights</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">Samsung is showcasing an extensive range of SUHD TVs for the African market, which sets a new standard in premium UHD content. The launch of the 88-inch JS9500 TV, powered by a proprietary, eco-friendly nano-crystal display technology and intelligent SUHD re-mastering engine, is innovative in every way, delivering superior picture quality with stunning contrast, striking brightness, spectacular colour and superb UHD detail. </span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">The SUHD re-mastering engine automatically analyses the brightness of images to minimise additional power consumption while expressing stunning contrast levels – producing images with improved contrast, elevated brightness two-and-a-half times brighter than conventional TVs and twice the colour adjustment points. SUHD TV’s nano-crystal technology transmits different colours of light depending on their size to produce the highest colour purity and light efficiency available today. This technology provides viewers with 64 times more colour expression than conventional TVs.</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">The SUHD JS9500 TV features a Grand Chamfer bezel design, adding more depth to the TV screen, and the elegant frame makes the display appear like a piece of art when mounted on the wall. Samsung will offer four new series of SUHD TVs to Africa, including the JS9500, JS9000 and JS8000, each introducing a number of features, tailor-made to match the lifestyles of users in the region.</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">Users will be able to enjoy African Cinema Mode, which provides an optimised viewing experience for African cinematic content, as well as Ultra Clean View for crisper picture quality; More TV Plus for easy content transfer and Review, which records TV programs by capturing still images every 5 seconds with full audio. Samsung has also partnered with eNCA to provide users with easy access to Africa’s latest news, and is working with SuperSport to offer sports highlights and live scores. Users also have access to premium lifestyle application, ONTV.</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">From 2015, all new Samsung Smart TVs, including the SUHD line-up, will be powered by Tizen, an open source platform that supports web standards for App TV development. Most importantly, it ensures that consumers will have access to a much broader range of Smart TV content and services.</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">New Premium Audio line-up</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">Samsung is bringing innovative audio products to Africa, giving consumers a more dynamic, surround sound audio experience.</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">The expanded Curved Soundbar line-up features a sleek design that complements Samsung’s Curved TVs, providing an immersive listening experience. The HW-J8500/J8501 Soundbar offers an enhanced sound experience thanks to 9.1 channel audio, centre and side speakers, and Samsung’s Multi-Air Gap speaker unit in the subwoofer.</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">The WAM7500 and WAM6500 speakers, developed in Samsung’s audio lab in California, deliver a 360-degree sound experience thanks to Samsung’s proprietary ring radiator technology.</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">Monitor innovation and design </span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">Samsung will showcase a full line-up of innovative monitors at the Africa Forum in Antalya. The cutting edge solutions include curved and UHD monitors, in the SE790C, SD590C, UD970 and SD850 range.</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">The award winning SE790C will be showcased in Antalya, and has an optimised curvature, ultra wide quad HD resolution and a superior contrast ratio. The SD590C curved monitor also features an advanced eye mode for seamless and rich multimedia consumption.</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">Digital Appliances Designed for a Better Lifestyle</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">Samsung continues to innovate convenient home appliances that elevate the quality of consumer lives in Africa, by infusing innovative technologies and outstanding design with the expertise of Michelin-starred chefs.</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">Samsung’s digital appliances line-up, tailored for the African market, now features:</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;"> The Chef Collection refrigerator RF9900, which is designed to ensure that food is kept fresh and stored to ensure maximum taste. The 4 door refrigerator is a huge leap forward for meal preparation. The innovative Precise Chef Cooling enables an exact and constant temperature for food storage and the Triple Cooling System creates three separate airflows in the refrigerator and freezer, enabling optimal humidity control and improved cooling performance for each compartment.</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;"> Samsung’s latest innovation in top load washers, the activ dualwash™ washing machine, which includes a built in sink with water jets and a scrubbing surface to allow consumers to handle the entire wash process in the laundry unit instead of pretreating the items elsewhere. The convenient sink space provides a separate space to pretreat tough stains, and once finished, the laundry and water can easily be poured into the machine.</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;"> The new Samsung AR9500 air conditioner, has a unique triangular design, with a wider inlet, wider outlet and a bigger fan to ensure that air is cooled and expelled faster, farther and wider to reach every corner of the home.</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;"> The new AX7000 Air Purifier. The AX7000’s front air inflow easily draws in air through a Dual Power Fan with two 5 step filtration system. The 3 Way Air Flow enables the purifier to reach wider and purifies faster with a CADR (Clean Air Delivery Rate) of up to 773 cu. meters per hour.</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">Instantly share superior images with the Samsung NX500</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;"> The new NX500 camera is the perfect camera for everyday use, with its best-in-class DRIMeV Image processor, a NX AF system III and Samsung’s highest-resolution 28 MP BSI APS-C sensors. Compared to conventional CMOS sensors, BSI reduces noise more effectively by keeping the path between the lens and sensors clear so more light can hit each pixel, lowering the signal-to-noise ratio. As a result, NX500 users never need to compromise image quality, even in low light. Also, with 4K and UHD video recording, users will enjoy recording movies with more flexibility. </span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">Putting the core performance and functionality of the NX1 into a highly portable format, this new compact camera makes sure that a moment is never missed. The palm-sized NX500 offers updated connectivity such as Bluetooth and Wi-Fi, providing users with an advanced wireless experience, as well as the option to seamlessly shoot and share their captured experiences.</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">Samsung Expands Ultra-slim Galaxy A devices into Africa</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;"> Samsung has expanded its line-up of Galaxy A mobile devices in the African region. Optimised for capturing and sharing your digital life, the Galaxy A7, A5 and A3 come with a 5MP front facing camera to ensure the perfect selfie, and offer original features like an animated GIF setting. The device also supports LTE category 4 for quick and easy photo and video uploads on any social network.</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;"> With a slim metal unibody design, Samsung continues to focus on creating unique style with comfortable grip for ease of use.</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">George Ferreira, Vice President and COO of Samsung Electronics Africa, said: “The key question for us at Samsung is how people use our products. We work hard to understand what people need and want and then we push the limits of what technology can do to deliver this. I believe that the products on display at our Africa Forum embody this way of thinking and offer our African consumers solutions through new experiences and aspirational products.”</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">In addition to viewing the products on display, delegates at the 2015 Forum will be able to learn about the opportunities in the African retail landscape and ways to optimise sales by studying African consumer purchase behaviour.</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">There will be an added spotlight on Samsung’s Digital Village, Samsung Engineering Academy and Solar-powered Internet School, all of which focus on uplifting communities, developing skills and creating sustainable education systems.</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">Distributed by APO (African Press Organization) on behalf of Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.</span></div> </div>

Samsung Electronics is introducing a range of products to the African market at the sixth annual Africa Forum in Antalya, Turkey

Samsung Electronics is introducing a range of products to the African market at the sixth annual Africa Forum in Antalya, Turkey, as t...

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Financial institutions have a critical role to play to drive African growth. Africa's leading financial institutions will be recognised for their achievements and the impact they're having on the continent

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div> <br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6yfDqBic54U/VOmLVg2LgfI/AAAAAAAAFWk/niCm0LK4Ygc/s1600/madini.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6yfDqBic54U/VOmLVg2LgfI/AAAAAAAAFWk/niCm0LK4Ygc/s1600/madini.jpg" width="320" /></a></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">The most prestigious event in Africa's banking and finance sector will take place during the annual African Development Bank meetings in Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire on 27th May. The 9th edition of the <a href="http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001Lm5cI9sLAaXeRDrfHNpWI-MvhWNlZBcTsF7Dh5-d1BV1itjGaBGgHTr5DaDtx6qy07WjZQqoelCs9vmUcm9Okb1NfFjCitEDa-Xouq9w6ySpgi4mZ9VHEEViHDF8N3SPTr8B9LIQPRtgVVm2DiMHn6iCDg0jRr4S7qfOAzoit66qpNvL_madO8j4CbnpAnoxsE0dxsgJxRhftDEp9Eaim3OHlXQNK_DR&c=FKDI8p97CXmwBPAF-A_7cJ4kjV9nC-bKQmDJIYSXVhT6W-OeGfNPWQ==&ch=DIjOznQ5ZDA_K1RGWHDah9Vpp7j-Pk0D5N-ZQHWqvDbCXJMic3Hvdw==">African Banker Awards</a>, held under the patronage of the African Development Bank will celebrate and highlight the bankers and financial institutions who are playing a leading role in driving African growth and transformation. This year also happens to be an important year for the African Development Bank who will announce the successor to Donald Kaberuka, its president for the past ten years.<br /><br />Organised by <a href="http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001Lm5cI9sLAaXeRDrfHNpWI-MvhWNlZBcTsF7Dh5-d1BV1itjGaBGgHTr5DaDtx6qyAxFmiLarEAG2l0qjeji8eyj88oHEBA1DHjg8QCQyhI3hp37uPDEYhiMq653m9WuV1b2Qp_3XWFhrSXiezZ1wZIIqwIfuWU2NClOrzKsOjDoXQHs86Tn0tH8iqnEjjR-5bvgycRW0SGm0Q9p3KsZ-vKLTc9RLi9Wq&c=FKDI8p97CXmwBPAF-A_7cJ4kjV9nC-bKQmDJIYSXVhT6W-OeGfNPWQ==&ch=DIjOznQ5ZDA_K1RGWHDah9Vpp7j-Pk0D5N-ZQHWqvDbCXJMic3Hvdw==">African Banker magazine</a> in cooperation with BusinessinAfrica Events, the African Banker Awards will continue to maintain its exclusive partnership with the <a href="http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001Lm5cI9sLAaXeRDrfHNpWI-MvhWNlZBcTsF7Dh5-d1BV1itjGaBGgHejLepmnsi91MSHSR9xQx6G-VtUeozS3xD_tFHL5X-bQ_Q_QYVf9-NVaLAA-vLJXNFzLoZs9keIpiD-ENnVwNrjwLf-bQ_5gVitmV1Go5ETSjT2t7jDsXRg=&c=FKDI8p97CXmwBPAF-A_7cJ4kjV9nC-bKQmDJIYSXVhT6W-OeGfNPWQ==&ch=DIjOznQ5ZDA_K1RGWHDah9Vpp7j-Pk0D5N-ZQHWqvDbCXJMic3Hvdw==">African Development Bank</a>, which over the past year has finalised its move back home from Tunis to Abidjan.<br /><br />Last week the awards committee issued its call for entries for 2015, officially inviting all financial institutions operating in Africa to participate and compete. The deadline for entries has been set in a month's time, on the 16th March. <br /><br />The African Banker Awards is the landmark event on the banking calendar. Last year's ceremony took place in Kigali, Rwanda, and attracted some of Africa's key decision makers including Central Bank Governors and Ministers of Finance as well as those playing a key role in the banking world, from bank CEOs to financiers and deal makers transforming the continent. <br /><br /> "Since we launched the awards, the sector has seen phenomenal growth and is doing things unimaginable a decade ago. The banks have a responsibility to drive Africa's transformation, policy makers have a role to play in guiding banks and financial institutions to unlock capital towards priority projects and industries. Today more than ever, the financial services industry, which is still small compared to emerging markets standards, will keep rising to the challenge, as they have over the past ten years. </span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;"> </span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">We are looking forward to receiving and reading the entries, which make for insightful reading, especially in terms of how banks are helping drive African growth." Omar Ben Yedder, CEO, IC Publications.<br /><br />Past awards and nominations reflect the diverse achievements of Africa's top ranking bankers and industry leaders. Last year HE Paul Kagame, President of Rwanda, topped headlines after receiving a Special Recognition Award for his leadership and vision.<br /><br />Last year women were the big winners: Linah Mohohlo winning Central Bank Governor of the Year, Elizabeth Mary Oleko, chairperson of the Kenya Women Finance Trust winning Lifetime Achievement award and Vivienne Yeda, Director General of the East African Development Bank scooping the award for African Banker of the Year. <br /><br />The winners are selected by an independent expert judging panel with extensive expertise across the African regions. <br /><br />The African Banker Awards are designed to recognise the reforms, rapid modernisation and expansion of Africa's banking and financial system. This year's platinum sponsor is MasterCard and the awards are under the patronage of the African Development Bank. <br /><br />Distributed by African Media Agency (AMA) on behalf of IC Publications.</span></div> </div>

Financial institutions have a critical role to play to drive African growth. Africa's leading financial institutions will be recognised for their achievements and the impact they're having on the continent

The most prestigious event in Africa's banking and finance sector will take place during the annual African Development Bank meet...

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Effective employee engagement policies and management can drive innovation

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Kuz4q7xCz7g/VOmK08SSR7I/AAAAAAAAFWc/pDhUH-5Tmok/s1600/dhl.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Kuz4q7xCz7g/VOmK08SSR7I/AAAAAAAAFWc/pDhUH-5Tmok/s1600/dhl.png" /></a></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">Employee engagement has emerged as a critical driver of business success in today’s competitive marketplace, with various studies showing the positive impact of employee engagement on company performance. Research by Gallup, the American research-based, global performance-management consulting company, describes engaged employees as being psychologically committed to a job, and likely to be making positive contributions to an organisation.<br /><br />This is further supported by Lebo Tseladimitlwa, Vice President of Human Resources at DHL Express Sub <a href="http://www.dpdhl.com/">Saharan</a> Africa, who says that effective employee engagement policies and management can drive innovation, productivity and bottom-line performance, and should be utilised to counter adverse market conditions. <br /><br />DHL was recently awarded the Overseas Project of the Year award at the UK Employee Engagement awards which recognizes businesses outside of the UK that strive to do things differently and put their workforce at the heart of its operation . Tseladimitlwa explains that having motivated employees as a key focus pillar of the DHL Express global strategy has contributed to the recognition. <br /><br />Tseladimitlwa says: “Understanding the need to drive a common culture across 220 countries, we launched a Certified International Specialists learning and development program for all 3,500 staff in Africa. Everyone from the Global CEO to a Courier in any country has gone through this training program reinforcing our core competencies as an organization. </span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;"> </span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">We also run a number of internal initiatives such as Employee Appreciation Weeks, Employee of the Quarter and Employee of the Year awards as well a yearly Employee Opinion Survey which is managed by a third party in the spirit of anonymity, and employees are asked to give feedback on all areas which impact their satisfaction and engagement levels. We have a task team who analyze the feedback and take the relevant corrective action to ensure that we make significant progress each year. In 2009, our employee engagement score was 57% and for 2014, we achieved 80%. It’s true that what gets measured gets done.”<br /><br />“We also have an internal development program called Made In Africa, that produces a sustainable and dynamic list of future leaders that can succeed Africa Management Board positions, Country Management positions and senior functional roles. The program reduces the historical dependency on expatriate imports, and improves skills of the talent pool.”<br /><br />DHL was also recently named Top Employer 2015 in Africa by the Top Employers Institute, recognizing the importance the company places on employee engagement and development. This is in addition to six African countries - South Africa, Nigeria, Kenya, Uganda, Ethiopia and Ghana that were also certified Top Employers in their local markets.<br /><br />“Employees should be encouraged to grow – both personally and professionally, and should be continuously motivated to broaden their horizons and fulfill their potential via a wide and varied range of learning and development opportunities. These should be defined by the business and evaluated at regular intervals. Employee engagement should also be weaved into the performance criteria expected of managers, as this tends to present the most benefits.”<br /><br />“We believe that there is a huge caliber of talent available on the continent and it is critical to continually develop employees’ talent and engagement levels. If developed and managed correctly, these engagement levels can result in employees offering exceptional service to clients,” concludes Tseladimitlwa.<br /><br />Distributed by APO (African Press Organization) on behalf of Deutsche Post DHL. </span></div> </div>

Effective employee engagement policies and management can drive innovation

Employee engagement has emerged as a critical driver of business success in today’s competitive marketplace, with various studies showin...

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Maali Seif ashauri kuwaenzi waasisi

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZLUWIn9c4oQ/VOmKAblMvuI/AAAAAAAAFWQ/1ZwM0SYSZWE/s1600/wa4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZLUWIn9c4oQ/VOmKAblMvuI/AAAAAAAAFWQ/1ZwM0SYSZWE/s1600/wa4.JPG" width="320" /></a></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">Na: Hassan Hamad, OMKR<br />Makamu wa Kwanza wa Rais wa Zanzibar Mhe. Maalim Seif Sharif Hamad, ameshauri sheria ya kuwaenzi waasisi wa Taifa ifanyiwe marekebisho, ili kuiwezesha bodi ya udhamini wa mfuko wa kuwaenzi waasisi hao kufanya kazi zao kwa uhakika.</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><br />Amesema sheria hiyo namba 18 ya mwaka 2004, bado haijabainisha vyanzo vya mapato ya kuendesha bodi hiyo, na kutanabahisha kuwa bila ya kufanya hivyo, bodi inaweza kukabiliwa na wakati mgumu katika kutekeleza majukumu yake.</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><br />Maalim Seif ametoa ushauri huo wakati akizungumza na bodi hiyo iliyofika nyumbani kwake Mbweni kwa ajili ya kujitambulisha.</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><br />Amefahamisha kuwa sheria hiyo ingepaswa kubainisha vyanzo vyake vya mapato zikiwemo Serikali ambazo zinatakiwa kutoa msukumo katika kufanikisha ustawi wa bodi hiyo.</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><br />Amesema Serikali ya Mapinduzi ya Zanzibar kwa upande wake itatoa kila aina ya ushirikiano na msaada unaohitajika ili kuhakikisha kuwa bodi hiyo inatekelza majukumu yake kwa ufanisi.<br />Akizungumzia juu ya dhana ya kuwaenzi waasisi wa Taifa, Mwalimu Julius Nyerere na Sheikh Abeid Amani Karume, amesema ni muhimu kwani viongozi hao walifanya kazi kubwa ya kuongoza mapambano dhidi ya watawala.</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><br />Amesema viongozi waasisi ni kielelezo cha Taifa, hivyo kuna kila sababu ya kuwaenzi, na kuhakikisha kuwa historia zao zinatunzwa kwa ajili ya vizazi vijavyo na historia ya nchi kwa ujumla.</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><br />Hata hivyo amesema jitihada zaidi zinahitajika katika kuendeleza historia ya waasisi hao na taifa kwa ujumla, sambamba na kuwafundisha vijana ili waweze kufahamu historia ya nchi yao.</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><br />Mapema akizungumza katika kikao hicho, Mwenyekiti wa bodi hiyo ya udhamini wa mfuko wa kuwaenzi waasisi wa Taifa, Kanali mstaafu Kabenga Nsa Kaisi, amekiri kuwa Mfuko huo wenye lengo la kuwakumbuka na kuwaenzi waasisi wa Taifa la Tanganyika na Zanzibar, unakabiliwa na ukosefu wa vyanzo vya mapato.</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><br />Aidha ameiomba serikali kuangalia uwezekano wa kuwapatia mafunzo wajumbe wa bodi hiyo katika nchi zenye uzoefu wa kutunza historia, ili kuongeza uelewa wa namna ya kuendeleza historia ya Tanzania na waasisi wake.</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><br />Nae mjumbe wa bodi hiyo Mama Fatma Karume, amesema serikali ina nafasi kubwa ya kuijengea uwezo bodi hiyo, katika kuhakikisha kuwa histori za waasisi wa Taifa zinaendelezwa.</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><br />“Tusisahau historia yetu, ni msingi wetu”, alisisitiza mjumbe mwengine wa bodi hiyo Dkt. John Magoti, wakati akitoa neon la shukrani.</span></div> </div>

Maali Seif ashauri kuwaenzi waasisi

Na: Hassan Hamad, OMKR Makamu wa Kwanza wa Rais wa Zanzibar Mhe. Maalim Seif Sharif Hamad, ameshauri sheria ya kuwaenzi waasisi wa Taifa...

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Balozi Seif apongeza ujenzi wa nyumba za mkopo nafuu

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-N7AF2syPpW4/VOmJYx-M9QI/AAAAAAAAFWI/yR799_wkVxQ/s1600/968.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-N7AF2syPpW4/VOmJYx-M9QI/AAAAAAAAFWI/yR799_wkVxQ/s1600/968.jpg" width="320" /></a></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">Makamu wa Pili wa Rais wa Zanzibar Balozi Seif Ali Iddi alisema kwamba ujenzi wa nyumba za Mkopo pamoja na bei nafuu na kulengwa kwa wananchi wenye kipato cha kawaida katika maeneo ya Miji na vitongoji vyake ndio njia pekee itakayosaidia mfumo mzuri katika uwekaji wa mipango Miji. <br /><br />Alisema ujenzi holela usiozingatia Mipango Miji unaoendelea kukua siku hadi siku katika maeneo ya miji hasa ile ya Jumuyia ya Afrika Mashariki mara nyingi huleta athari wakati yanapotokea mafuriko au majanga ya moto. <br /><br />Balozi Seif Ali Iddi alisema hayo wakati akiufungua Mkutano wa Siku mbili wa kanda unaozungumzia changamoto za ukuaji wa Miji pamoja na kushughulikia hali ya baadaye ya Miji ya Afrika unaofanyika katika Hoteli ya Hyatt Regency Kilimanjayo Mjini Dara es salaamu. <br /><br />Mkutano huo uliopewa jina la Maisha ya baadaye ya Nchi za Afrika Mashariki, jinsi gani tunataka kuishi mwaka 2050 umeandaliwa na Taasisi ya Uongozi wa Afrika kwa Maendeleo endelevu { UONGOZI INSTITUTE }. <br /><br />Alisema asilimia kubwa ya wananchi wa kawaida huishi kwa kujenga makaazi yao kwenye maeneo hatarishi ambayo wakati yanapotokea maafa au mafuriko Wananchi hao wanashindwa kupata huduma muhimu za lazima kutokana na uharibifu wa mazingira na matokeo yake hukumbwa na miripuko ya maradhi yanayosababisha kupoteza idadi kubwa ya maisha ya watu. <br /><br />Balozi Seif alizinasihi Taasisi, wataalamu na Viongozi wanaosimamia Mipango Miji kuelewa kwamba ili kufikia malengo ya maisha bora ya Jamii pamoja na kukuwa kwa miji bado ipo haja ya kuimarishwa miundo mbinu ya huduma muhimu za lazima katika Halmashauri za Mikoa, Wilaya na Vijiji ili kupunguza kasi ya ukuaji wa miji Mikubwa. <br /><br />Mapema Mtendaji Mkuu wa Taasisi ya Uongozi wa Afrika kwa Maendeleo endelevu { Uongozi Institute } Profesa Joseph Semboja alisema upo uwiano mkubwa wa ongezeko la watu Barani Afrika na Dunia kwa ujumla. <br /><br />Profesa Semboja alisema ongezeko hilo linasababisha msongamano wa shinikizo la uhaba wa makaazi ya watu , ufinyu wa fursa za ajira hasa kwa vijana pamoja na huduma za Kijamii. <br /><br />Alisema ukanda wa Afrika Mashariki unaendelea kukumbwa na changamoto mbali mbali za tabia nchi, mazingira sambamba na ongezeko kubwa la idadi ya wakaazi wake katika Miji ya Nchi hizo. <br /><br />“ Kwa mujibu wa takwimu za Shirika la Umoja wa Mataifa la Makazi { UN Habitat } hali ya Miji ya Afrika 2014, Afrika Mashariki inashika nafasi ya chini katika Miji inayokuwa Duniani lakini ndio kanda inayoongoza katika kasi ya ukuaji wa Miji yake kwa sasa “. Alisema Profesa Semboja. <br /><br />Alifahamisha kwamba ifikapo mwishoni mwa muongo huu wa sasa idadi ya wakaazi waishio Mijini itaongezeka kwa asilimia 50% na jumla ya idadi ya wakaazi wa mijini ifikapo mwaka 2040 inatarajiwa kuwa mara tano ya mwaka 2012. <br /><br />Profesa Semboja alieleza kwamba lengo la Mkutano huo wa kanda unaokutanisha Viongozi na watunga sera kutoka nchi za Afrika mashariki umelenga kujadili namna ya kutatua changamoto hizo na kufikiria miji ambayo itatimiza matakwa yaliyokusudiwa. <br /><br />Akitoa salamu za shirika la Umoja wa Mataifa la Makazi { UN Habitat } Mwakilishi wa shirika hilo Dr. Remy Sietchiping alisema nguvu za Viongozi wa Kisiasa zitumike katika kusaidia Taaluma ya ujenzi wa Mipango Miji. <br /><br />Dr. Remy alisema mipango hiyo lazima iende sambamba katika kukabiliana na ongezeko kubwa la idadi ya watu. <br /><br />Alifahamisha kwamba Shirika hilo la Habitat litahakikisha kwamba linatumia nguvu na uwezo wake katika kusaidia Taaluma ya upangaji wa Miji Barani Afrika. <br /><br />Washiriki wa Mkutano huo kutoka Nchi za Burundi, Ethiopia,, Kenya, Rwanda, Somalia, Sudani ya Kusini, Uganda na wenyeji Tanzania wengi wao ni watendaji wa ngazi za juu Serikalini, mshirika ya Kikanda na Kimataifa, Miji Mikubwa, wasomi, Sekta Binafsi na Taasisi za Kiraia. </span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><br />Othman Khamis Ame <br />Ofisi ya Makamu wa Pili wa Rais wa Zanzibar</span></div> </div>

Balozi Seif apongeza ujenzi wa nyumba za mkopo nafuu

Makamu wa Pili wa Rais wa Zanzibar Balozi Seif Ali Iddi alisema kwamba ujenzi wa nyumba za Mkopo pamoja na bei nafuu na kulengwa kwa wan...

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Jeremy Rifkin, Keynote Speaker at the 2015 AFRICA CEO FORUM

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hSBjmlKWZqk/VOmIq0OiE3I/AAAAAAAAFWA/shmFBibAna0/s1600/afrika.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hSBjmlKWZqk/VOmIq0OiE3I/AAAAAAAAFWA/shmFBibAna0/s1600/afrika.jpg" width="221" /></a></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">World-renowned American economist, Jeremy Rifkin, will be speaking at the third edition of the AFRICA CEO FORUM in Geneva on 16 and 17 March. <br /><br />Rifkin, professor at the prestigious Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania and President of the Foundation on Economic Trends, is a regular speaker at top events around the world. He has written 19 books on future trends and developments in economics and science which have been translated into more than 35 languages. Rifkin's theories have become well known all over the world and attracted the interest of numerous CEOs and heads of state in Europe and Asia, including German Chancellor Angela Merkel and Chinese Prime Minister Li Keqiang. <br /><br />The American "disruptor" is known for his cutting-edge ideas on global economic trends and on the advent of the Third Industrial Revolution (TIR). The latter will see a shift to renewable energy with new technologies and the development of a communication network to distribute them and, for example, the introduction of a 3D printer that will promote consumers to the rank of "prosumer" (producer-consumer). In his latest opus, The Zero Marginal Cost Society, Rifkin again outlines the fundamental aspects of the TIR and then goes further by predicting the dawn of a new era in which today's productivist system will collapse and be replaced by new, more collaborative business models, along the same lines as Uber, Airbnb, Lending Club or MOOCs (massive open online courses). <br /><br />Jeremy Rifkin will be sharing his ideas and vision of the future with 800 delegates at the 2015 AFRICA CEO FORUM, including almost 500 top African CEOs. While growth in Africa is set to hit a record high, will he be able to convince the audience that capitalism will collapse within the next fifty years? Can he convince participants that the emergence of a new economic model based on "less financial capital and more human capital" is an exciting opportunity for the African continent? In a paradigm where consumers become producers, what changes will Africa's private sector have to make? These questions will all be answered on 16 March in Geneva.<br /><br />AFRICA'S NEW ECONOMIC SITUATION AT THE TOP OF THE AGENDA<br /><br />A broad range of topics will be covered at the 2015 AFRICA CEO FORUM, including new growth paths in African economies, the competitiveness of top African companies, investment opportunities, the challenges raised by the urban explosion amongst others. These carefully-chosen topics will be addressed by a roster of world-class experts and speakers which make the forum an annual event not to be missed.<br /><br />Interested companies may still register and receive regular information via the following website www.theafricaceoforum.com<br /><br />Distributed by African Media Agency (AMA) on behalf of the Africa CEO Forum.</span></div> </div>

Jeremy Rifkin, Keynote Speaker at the 2015 AFRICA CEO FORUM

World-renowned American economist, Jeremy Rifkin, will be speaking at the third edition of the AFRICA CEO FORUM in Geneva on 16 and 17 M...

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The Easy and Affordable Way to Get Your Business Online in Africa

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KvJrF9Ns-nE/VOmIX1KyI5I/AAAAAAAAFV4/eg1Kvi_MFdc/s1600/a8ef565b-326a-4858-a193-7ffd2bb1546e.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="160" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KvJrF9Ns-nE/VOmIX1KyI5I/AAAAAAAAFV4/eg1Kvi_MFdc/s1600/a8ef565b-326a-4858-a193-7ffd2bb1546e.png" width="400" /></a></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">African Media Agency (AMA)/- Africa.com is proud to announce the addition of Mobile Sites to its collection of online tools and services. "This is a new category of service that will transform website access across Africa. The mobile service works with all mobile devices, providing a great mobile experience to customers on all digital devices including feature phones, smartphones, mid-range and budget phones" says Africa.com CEO and Chairman, Teresa Clarke. <br /><br />The mobile sites are easy to access and browse, so millions of users with a mobile phone can use the 1-click features. The mobile sites are fast and user friendly and load information up to 8 times quicker than a full traditional website. The mobile sites are designed specifically for the mobile user. Easy to navigate and quick to get to the information you need. <br /><br />Africa.com is helping to get more Africans online as creators of content by offering a complete "we do it for you" experience. With easy and affordable monthly payments and no set up fees, every entrepreneur and blogger can get online within a few days.<br /><br />Among the first mobile sites launched are tshirt.africa.com and nepad.africa.com. <br /><br />"We're providing our customers with tools to make their lives better" said Nero Ogheneovo, CEO of T-Shirt Factory Africa. "For them, better means simple and convenient. The Africa.com Mobile Site solution is another exciting move in that direction." <br /><br />"Mobile Sites are the kind of innovative thinking that brings the worlds of online and offline business closer together," said Dr Adesina Iluyemi, NEPAD Council Board Member. "We're excited to work with Africa.com to offer our audience a simple way to connect with us." <br /><br />In mid 2013, Africa.com began offering domain names for those businesses seeking a pan-African audience with a globally recognized web address. The addition of full service mobile websites is among the many tools expected to launch this year. <br /><br />Distributed by African Media Agency (AMA) on behalf of Africa.com.</span></div> </div>

The Easy and Affordable Way to Get Your Business Online in Africa

African Media Agency (AMA)/- Africa.com is proud to announce the addition of Mobile Sites to its collection of online tools and services...

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UN Tanzania Chief Condemns Abduction and Murder of Child with Albinism 18 February 2015 Mr. Alvaro Rodriguez

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fPS7Mh6_avo/VOhAXeCm5EI/AAAAAAAAFVk/Z7dhRc68kPc/s1600/UN.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="342" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fPS7Mh6_avo/VOhAXeCm5EI/AAAAAAAAFVk/Z7dhRc68kPc/s1600/UN.jpg" width="400" /></a><span style="font-size: large;">UN Resident Coordinator & UNDP Resident Representative Public Statement <br /><br />1. Over the last two months, Tanzania has witnessed two abductions of young children in the Lake Zone. In December, the abduction of a child with albinism, Pendo, left the country in shock. Despite the government’s efforts, Pendo has not been found. Now we have just witnessed the abduction and murder of a one year old, Yohana Bahati, which happened in Chato District in Geita Region on February 15. <br /><br />2. The UN is deeply concerned by the abductions and brutal attacks on these two young children. These attacks, which are often motivated by the use of body parts for ritual purposes, have claimed the lives of at least 74people with albinism in Tanzania since 2000. These attacks are accompanied by a high degree of impunity, and while Tanzania has made efforts to combat the problem, much more must be done to put an end to these heinous crimes and to protect this vulnerable segment of the population. <br /><br />3. No violence against people with albinism is justifiable. All violence can be prevented. Attacks against people with albinism can never be justified – not by culture, tradition or religion. <br /><br />4. This is a year of elections in Tanzania and, as some analysts have suggested, it could be a dangerous year for people living with albinism. We commend the government for its efforts and the support it has provided the regions impacted by these abductions and we encourage national and regional authorities to enhance their efforts to ensure the protection of human rights and full adherence to the rule of law. We wish for 2015 to be a year where all Tanzanians see their rights respect, including those with albinism. <br /><br />5. I have been in contact with the Regional Commissioner in Geita, Ms. Fatma Mwassa, who is very concerned with this recent abduction and has assured me that her administration is fully committed to addressing this abduction despite the many challenges involved. <br /><br />6. Today I have also met with the Tanzania Albinism Society (TAS) and they indicated that their main concern this year is to end violence against people with albinism (PWA). They are calling for more protection of PWAs especially this year when elections will be held in Tanzania and neighbouring countries. Under The Same Sun (UTSS) National Coordinator, Ms. Vicky Ntetema, also discussed with me her concerns and fears for 2015. People with Albinism deserve the same rights as all Tanzanian citizens. <br /><br />7. 2015 is a year in which Tanzanias will elect new leaders and vote on a proposed new Constitution; it is also a year where all the citizens of the country should feel respected and that their human rights are protected. </span></div> </div>

UN Tanzania Chief Condemns Abduction and Murder of Child with Albinism 18 February 2015 Mr. Alvaro Rodriguez

UN Resident Coordinator & UNDP Resident Representative Public Statement 1. Over the last two months, Tanzania has witn...

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Je, usambazaji ndio saratani ya soko la umeme barabu Afrika?

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-i_h7GqF0vlE/VOg_ItZYm4I/AAAAAAAAFVY/HamxOUlI1yM/s1600/umeme.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="123" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-i_h7GqF0vlE/VOg_ItZYm4I/AAAAAAAAFVY/HamxOUlI1yM/s1600/umeme.png" width="320" /></a></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">Tunavyoshuhudia viwanda katika bara hili viking'ang'ana kutengeneza na kusambaza umeme unaotosha kufikia kiwango msingi, usambazaji unaonekana kuwa changamoto kubwa zaidi kwa ufikiaji wa umeme barani Afrika.<br /><br />Kwa sasa, kuna viwango vya uwekezaji ambavyo havijawahi kuonekana katika sekta ya uzalishaji umeme- haikaribii tu utafutaji tena. Wawekezaji leo wanaona uzalishaji umeme kama fursa iliyotajwa na watu wengine kuwa kubwa kiasi kwamba itafanya mapato ya makampuni makubwa ya simu barani Afrika yaonekane kuwa madogo. <br /><br />Hata hivyo, licha ya zaidi ya dola bilioni 8 za Marekani kuwekezwa katika miradi mipya nchini Afrika Kusini peke yake, usambazaji unaendelea kuporomoka, huku ukiathiri hali ya kijamii na siasa katika bara la Afrika pakubwa. Zaid ya hayo, jambo hili linatishia uthabiti wa miradi ya uzalishaji wa siku zijazo ambayo tayari inaendelea kujengwa.<br /><br />Baada ya zaidi ya miaka 20 ya ujenzi, EAPP, SAPP, Benki ya Maendeleo ya Afrika, Benki ya Maendeleo ya China na Benki ya Dunia pamoja na wabia wa sekta ya umma nchini Uhabeshi, Kenya, Zambia, Tanzania, Msumbiji, Zimbabwe na Afrika Kusini zinaanza kuonyesha mafanikio ambayo hatimaye yanaweza kuwa mwisho wa matatizo ya usambazaji. <br /><br />Miradi hii inaweza kuwa mwanzo wa fursa za ajabu kwa Afrika Mashariki na Kusini, ikikuza kila kitu kuanzia usambazaji wa umeme katika miji hadi ukuaji wa viwanda. Matokeo haya yatapatikana tu ikiwa nchi hizi zinaweza kutumia hadi upeo uwezo wa watengenezaji na watasinia wanaoepuka kwa hali wakitafuta kunufaika na kanda za uhamishaji ambazo zinaendelea kukua kwa sasa.<br /><br />Unafaa kuona tu kile Umoja wa Falme za Kiarabu zimetimiza ili uone vile uchumi unaotegemea rasilimali unaweza kubadilisha utajiri wa nchi ikiwa uwekezaji unaofaa katika muundo msingi unafanywa. Kwa upande mwingine, kuna mifano ambapo uwekezaji huu muhimu haukufanywa - na basi kusababisha ghasia za kijamii.<br /><br />Swali basi ni hili - ni rais yupi atakabiliana na changamoto hii na aunde urithi kwenye bara hili unaosoma, "Nilileta umeme barani Afrika, nilileta mabadiliko?"<br /><br /><a href="http://www.powering-eastafrica.com/">EnergyNet</a>, kama ilivyokuwa ikifanya kwa miaka 17 iliyopita, itarahisisha majadiliano haya kwa kukaribisha waamuzi 100 muhimu nchini Kenya kuanzia tarehe 25-27 Machi kwa mkutano wa Kusambaza Umeme Afrika Mashariki. DFI kuu, waendelezaji uzalishaji wa umeme na makampuni ya usambazaji yatakuja pamoja ili kushawishi mazungumzo, wakiwezesha washiriki kuelewa kinachoendelea katika mtandao wa usambazaji wa Afrika Mashariki kati ya muda mfupi na muda <a href="http://www.powering-eastafrica.com/">mrefu</a>. <br /><br />Distributed by APO (African Press Organization) on behalf of EnergyNet Ltd.</span></div> </div>

Je, usambazaji ndio saratani ya soko la umeme barabu Afrika?

Tunavyoshuhudia viwanda katika bara hili viking'ang'ana kutengeneza na kusambaza umeme unaotosha kufikia kiwango msingi, usambaz...

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200 decision-makers expected in Lomé (Togo) for the first Africa Best Practices Forum on 26 and 27 February 2015

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7-AJpPkhCZA/VOg96mYVDtI/AAAAAAAAFVM/zvuN9lp-MW0/s1600/uchumi.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="86" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7-AJpPkhCZA/VOg96mYVDtI/AAAAAAAAFVM/zvuN9lp-MW0/s1600/uchumi.png" width="400" /></a></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">Lomé, the capital of Togo, will host the first Africa Best Practices<a href="http://www.africabestpractices.com/"> Forum</a> on 26 and 27 February 2015. Pan-African bank Ecobank, recruitment agency AfricSearch and company Ellipse Communication are working together, with the support of the World Bank and the West African Development Bank (BOAD), to organise this first forum, which is dedicated exclusively to improving the business framework and environment in Africa.<br /><br />The Africa Best Practices Forum is intended to be both a forum for exchange and a business platform bringing together African and international experts, public and political administration officials, private sector executives and stakeholders so that they can share their experience with reforms that stimulate growth and employment. "This forum will be an arena for discussions among public and private sector decision-makers in Africa. It will deepen a dialogue on the dissemination of best practices, one that is more important now than ever before," asserts Didier Acouetey, founder of the recruitment agency AfricSearch.<br /><br />Some 200 people are expected in Lomé. They include Cheikh Hadjibou Soumaré, President of the WAEMU Commission, Christian Adovelande, President of BOAD, Hervé Assah, World Bank representative for Togo, Alioune Sall, Executive Director of the think tank African Futures Institute, Cody Lee, Director of the Singapore Business Federation, Felix Bikpo, Chief Executive Officer of African Guarantee Fund, Jean-Louis Ekra, President of Afreximbank, Amadou Kane, former Finance Minister of Senegal, and Momar Nguer, Africa Director of Total Supply & Marketing. Delegations from Morocco, Rwanda and Singapore will attend.<br /><br />The subjects addressed during the two-day forum will include legal and administrative reform, government modernisation, creation of an environment favourable to private sector development and integration of multilateral instruments. A special session will be devoted to innovative reforms. Various tried and tested models from around the world will be analysed in a round table. Finally, a session will be dedicated to new financing methods such as PPP, financial markets, private equity, etc.<br /><br />"Because the level of investment depends on reforms undertaken by African states, there is an urgent need to accelerate these reforms to promote social and economic change, with the private sector acting as a lever," concludes Arsène Johnson, the forum sponsor.</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><br />Distributed by APO (African Press Organization) on behalf of the Africa Best Practices Forum.</span></div> </div>

200 decision-makers expected in Lomé (Togo) for the first Africa Best Practices Forum on 26 and 27 February 2015

Lomé, the capital of Togo, will host the first Africa Best Practices Forum on 26 and 27 February 2015. Pan-African bank Ecobank, recru...

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Senegal’s Ministry of Education partners with Samsung to launch innovative mobile education solution

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iDX05EZNUTo/VOg9Pz5KlwI/AAAAAAAAFVE/DCfY1bp_DKc/s1600/simu.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="61" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iDX05EZNUTo/VOg9Pz5KlwI/AAAAAAAAFVE/DCfY1bp_DKc/s1600/simu.png" width="400" /></a></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">The Senegal Ministry of Education and Samsung Electronics Africa <a href="http://www.samsung.com/africa_en">today</a> announced the launch of a mobile education solution aimed at creating positive change and providing an advanced and interactive classroom experience for learners. <br /><br />Installed at the Plan Jaxaay Secondary School, the Samsung Smart School initiative is an integrated platform that includes a monitoring and controlling feature – which allows teachers to keep track of educational content on their learners' screens – a screen-sharing feature and a real-time question-and-answer feature.<br /><br />The future of education is about accessing information and collaborating locally and globally. Teaching and learning has become social; this has become possible with the emergence of initiatives such as the Samsung Smart School,” says Samba Guisse, IT Advisor, Human Resources Department at the Ministry of National Education in Senegal.<br /><br />Samsung’s Corporate Citizenship arm has always supported the development of education with the view of impacting society and the economy. Samsung believes that access to technology can create new learning possibilities for students, paving their way towards lifelong learning and personal development in order to acquire the knowledge and skills needed in today’s society.<br /><br />Launched in the country in partnership with Millennium Connect Africa, Samsung’s Smart Schools are part of the company’s far-reaching African citizenship programme, designed to positively impact the lives of Africans. <br /><br />Smart Schools have also been installed in countries like Mali, South Africa, Kenya, Rwanda, DR Congo and Sudan.<br /><br />Distributed by APO (African Press Organization) on behalf of Samsung</span></div> </div>

Senegal’s Ministry of Education partners with Samsung to launch innovative mobile education solution

The Senegal Ministry of Education and Samsung Electronics Africa today announced the launch of a mobile education solution aimed at cre...

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Consumers have access to MoneyGram’s services in more than 50 African countries

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xjgnlhRIyV4/VOg8AqZ39-I/AAAAAAAAFU4/Y-l0E_FgReM/s1600/pesa.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xjgnlhRIyV4/VOg8AqZ39-I/AAAAAAAAFU4/Y-l0E_FgReM/s1600/pesa.png" /></a></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">MoneyGram (<a href="http://www.moneygram.com/">NASDAQ: MGI</a>), a leading global money transfer company, announces today that its agent network in Africa has now reached 25,000 locations, following a strategic expansion initiative across the continent. Recent technology advances and new agent and sub-agent signings, including an agreement with the Mauritius Post Office to offer money transfer services at more than 100 locations, have contributed to achieving this company milestone.<br /><br />“MoneyGram continues to grow throughout Africa as a result of forming strategic relationships with reputable companies, including banks, post offices and retailers, to bring added convenience and more choices for our customers,” says Herve Chomel, MoneyGram’s vice president of Africa. “Remittances are an important part of economic development and financial inclusion throughout the region and are integral to providing household essentials, education and healthcare in many countries. We are excited to be a part of the region’s growth.”<br /><br />Consumers have access to MoneyGram’s services in more than 50 African countries. In a series of recent successes, the company signed an agreement with First Bank of Nigeria’s subsidiaries in Ghana, Sierra Leone, and the Gambia, and also renewed a master agreement with Standard Bank Group, one of Africa’s top banks. MoneyGram’s services are available at over 500 Standard Bank locations in South Africa and across 11 Southern and Eastern African countries.<br /><br />MoneyGram is also implementing innovative self-service channels to make it more convenient for consumers living in Africa or abroad to obtain needed funds. The company recently announced an agreement with Safaricom that enables consumers in over 90 countries outside Kenya to send funds directly to nearly 20 million customers of M-PESA, Kenya’s leading mobile wallet provider.<br /><br />Distributed by APO (African Press Organization) on behalf of MoneyGram International, Inc.</span></div> </div>

Consumers have access to MoneyGram’s services in more than 50 African countries

MoneyGram ( NASDAQ: MGI ), a leading global money transfer company, announces today that its agent network in Africa has now reached 25,...

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